Chapter 9: Psychological Foundations of Physical Education and Sport What is the information-processing model of motor learning and the concepts related to it? How do the concepts of feedback, design of practice, and transfer apply to physical education, exercise science, and sport? What are the psychological benefits of participation in sport and physical activities?

Learning Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior or performance as a result of instruction, experiences, study, and/or practice. Learning is inferred from changes in performance. Motor behavior is concerned with the learning or acquisition of skills across the lifespan and encompasses three areas: Motor learning Motor control Motor development

Motor Behavior Motor learning Study of the acquisition of skills as a consequence of practice. Motor control Study of the neural mechanisms and processes by which movements are learned and controlled.

Historical Development of Motor Learning and Motor Control Early Period (1880-1940) Research focused on how did mind worked, not the production of skills. Thorndike: Law of Effect When responses were rewarded, the behavior strengthened. Middle Period (1940-1970) Craik focused research on how the brain processes and uses information to determine the motor response. Henry: “Memory drum theory” (role of cognitive activity in motor learning)

Historical Development of Motor Learning and Motor Control Present Period (1970-present) Emergence of motor learning and motor control within physical education programs. Closed Loop theory (Adams) Schema theory (Schmidt) Dynamical Systems theory (Kelso)

Areas of Study How does the type and frequency of feedback impact skill acquisition? How does the structure of practice influence the retention of skills? What can be done to facilitate the transfer of previous learning to the learning of new skills? How does the aging process affect motor control? How do differences in individuals’ learning styles influence their ability to learn motor skills?

Information Processing Model Input Information from the environment through the senses. Decision-making Input evaluation and integration with past information . Response selection Output Response execution Feedback Information about the performance and quality of the movement. Information gained here can guide future interpretations, decisions, and responses.

Stages of Learning Cognitive Stage Associative Stage Autonomous Stage Understanding of the nature and goal of the activity to be learned Initial attempts at the skill - gross errors Associative Stage Practice on mastering the timing of the skill Fewer and more consistent errors Autonomous Stage Well coordinated and appears effortless Few errors “Automatic” performance allows attention to be directed to other aspects of skill performance

Factors Influencing Learning Readiness Physiological and psychological factors influencing an individual’s ability and willingness to learn. Motivation A condition within an individual that initiates activity directed toward a goal. (Needs and drives are necessary.) Reinforcement Using events, actions, and behaviors to increase the likelihood of a certain response recurring. May be positive or negative Individual differences Backgrounds, abilities, intelligence, learning styles, and personalities of students

Motor Learning Concepts Ten 1. Practice sessions should be structured to promote optimal conditions for learning. 2. Learners must understand the task to be learned. 3. The nature of the skill or task to be learned should be considered when designing practice. 4. Whether to teach by the whole or the part method depends on the nature of the skill and the learner 5. Whether speed or accuracy should be emphasized in teaching a skill depends on the requirements of the skill.

Motor Learning Concepts Ten 6. Transfer of learning can facilitate the acquisition of motor skills. 7. Feedback is essential for learning. Knowledge of results (KR) Knowledge of performance (KP) 8. Learners may experience plateaus in learning. 9. Self-analysis should be developed. 10. Leadership influences the amount of learning.

Motor Development Study of the origins and changes in movement behavior throughout the lifespan. Biological and environmental influences on motor behavior from infancy to old age. Influence of psychological, sociological, cognitive, biological, and mechanical factors on motor behavior. Rate and sequence of development.

Historical Development Maturational Period (1928-1946) Research on the underlying biological processes guiding maturation. The rate and sequences of motor development from infancy in terms of acquisition of rudimentary and mature movements. Normative/Descriptive Period (1946-1970s) Description of the motor performances of children. Research on how growth and maturation affect performance and the impact of perceptual-motor development. Process-Oriented Period (1980s-present) Research on how cognitive factors influence motor skill acquisition and motor development based on dynamical systems theory.

Areas of Study What are the heredity and environmental factors most significantly associated with obesity? At what age can children safely engage in resistance training? How does socioeconomic status affect the development of motor skills? How does early sensory stimulation affect the development of motor skills? What are the changes in motor skill development experienced across the lifespan?

Phases of Motor Development Gallahue developed an hourglass model… Early reflexive and rudimentary movement phases: Hereditary is the primary factor for development. Sequential progression of development but individuals’ rates of development will differ. Fundamental movement phase: Skill acquisition based on encouragement, instruction, and opportunities for practice. Specialized movement phase: Refinement of skills “Turnover”: Hereditary and environmental factors that influence the rate of the aging process.

Fundamental Movement Phase Initial Stage (~ age 2) Poor spatial and temporal integration of skill movements. Improper sequencing of the parts of the skill Poor rhythm, difficulties in coordination Elementary Stage (~ age 3 & 4) Greater control and rhythmical coordination Temporal and spatial elements are better synchronized. Movements are still restricted, exaggerated, or inconsistent. Mature Stage (~age 5 or 6) Increased efficiency, enhanced coordination, and improved control of movements. Greater force production

Psychology of Sport and Exercise “The systematic scholarly study of the behavior, feelings, and thoughts of people engaged in sport, exercise, and physical activity.” (Vealey) Questions addressed: Is the personality profile of an elite athlete ? What are the psychological benefits of participation in regular physical activity? How does anxiety influence performance? What factors influence an individual’s adherence to a rehabilitation program? How does self-confidence influence performance?

Historical Development Late 1890s and early 1900s: Norman Triplett did first research on what became known as the Social Facilitation Theory. 1918: Griffith known as the “father of sport psychology” In 1938, he became the Chicago Cubs team’s sport psychologist researching how to enhance motivation and improve self-confidence. Late 1960s and 1970s: Sport psychology as a subdiscipline of physical education. Undergraduate and graduate curriculums, research programs, and professional societies. 1979: Journal of Sport Psychology began publication.

Historical Development 1980s: Researchers embraced an applied approach to the field. 1986: Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP) was organized. Exercise psychology evolved as a specialized area of study. Increase of interest by clinically trained psychologists help to shape the field. 1988: Journal of Sport Psychology became known as Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 1990s-present Rich diversity in approaches to the field and areas of study. Tremendous opportunity to teach, consult, and research in the field.

Psychological Benefits of Physical Activity Improves health-related quality of life. Improves one’s mood. Alleviates symptoms associated with mild depression. Reduces anxiety. Aids in managing stress. Enhances self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-confidence. Offers opportunities for affiliation with others.

Psychological Benefits of Physical Activity Offers opportunities to experience “peak” moments. Provides recreation and a change of pace. Offers an opportunity for individuals to challenge themselves and strive for mastery. Offers creative and aesthetic experiences. Increasing recognition of physical activity as a therapeutic modality.

Exercise and Adherence Estimates reveal that nearly 50% of patients fail to comply with their medical treatment. Adherence to supervised exercise programs ranges from 50% to 80%. Only 30% of individuals who begin an exercise program will be exercising at the end of 3 years. What can be done to promote continued involvement?

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Classic learning theories Learning a new behavior is achieved by altering the many small behaviors that compose the overall behavior. Break behavior down into smaller goals to be achieved. Work incrementally toward goal. Reinforcement is important; provide rewards and incentives (both immediate and long-range).

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Health belief model Adoption of a health behavior depends on the person’s perception of four factors: Severity of potential illness Susceptibility to illness Benefits of taking action Barriers to action Self-efficacy is an important component of this model.

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Social cognitive theory Behavior change is influenced by environmental factors, personal factors, and attributes of the behavior itself. Self-efficacy is central to this model. Individual must believe in his or her ability to perform the behavior and must perceive an incentive for changing the behavior. Outcomes must be valued by the individual.

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Transtheoretical model “stages of change”: Precontemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Termination Decisional balance (weighing the pros and cons of the change) Self-efficacy (confidence about his/her abilities in a situation) Target the intervention to the individual’s current stage.

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Ecological approach Comprehensive approach to health. Development of individual skills is emphasized as well as creating supportive, health-promoting environment. Environmental and societal influences and limitations on health behavior should be considered when planning for behavior change.

Exercise Dropout Low self-motivation Depression Low self-efficacy Denial of seriousness of one’s health condition Obesity Type A behavior pattern Smokers Blue-collar workers Perception that exercise has few health benefits Inactive lifestyle Sedentary occupations Lack of social support Family problems Interference of job-related responsibilities Inconvenience High-intensity exercise

Exercise Adherence Educational approaches Behavioral approaches Increase participants knowledge and understanding of the benefits of physical activity and exercise. Behavioral approaches Reinforcement Contracting Self-monitoring Goal-setting Enhancement of self-efficacy

Exercise Adherence Program Design Increase social support available to participants. Offer programs at convenient times and locations. Goal-setting and periodic assessment. Enthusiastic leaders. Strong communication. Establishment of rapport. Consideration of individual needs and interests.

Rehabilitation Adherence Strategies to enhance adherence to a rehabilitation program are important for sports medicine programs. Adherence can be increased by: Providing social support Goal setting Effective communication Tailoring program to individual needs Monitoring progress Collaborative approach to accomplishing goals

Personality Impact of athletics on personality development. Relationship between personality and athletic performance. Do athletes differ from nonathletes? Can athletes in certain sports be distinguished from athletes in other sports? Do individuals participate in certain sports because of their personality characteristics? Do highly skilled athletes in a sport have different personality characteristics than the lesser skilled athletes? Can personality predict success in sport? Each athlete must be treated as an individual.

Anxiety and Arousal Anxiety is a subjective feeling of apprehension accompanied by a heightened level of physiological arousal. Physiological arousal is an autonomic response that results in the excitation of various organs of the body. Trait and state anxiety Trait: integral part of an individual’s personality. State: emotional response to a specific situation that results in feelings of fear, tension, or apprehension. Find the optimal level of arousal that allows for peak performance.

Reducing Anxiety Use physical activity (warm-ups) to release stress and anxiety. Develop precompetition routines. Simulate games in practice to rehearse skills and strategies. Tailor preparation for the competition to the individual athlete. Each athlete will have different needs. Build self-confidence and high, but realistic expectations. Keep errors in perspective.

Attention Ability to direct senses and thought processes to particular objects, thoughts, and feelings Dimensions of attention Width: Broad to narrow Direction: External to internal Attentional flexibility Be able to rapidly switch back and forth between various attentional styles at will, depending on what the task demands. Anxiety tends to narrow and internalize attentional focus, and this will impact performance. How?

Intervention Strategies WHY? To help athletes achieve optimal performance. Management of anxiety and arousal Relaxation techniques Cognitive strategies Restructuring Thought stopping Self-talk Imagery Goal setting